As Cyclone Dana approached, Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport undertook a complete operational shutdown on Thursday evening, a preventive measure aimed at mitigating risk to passengers and infrastructure. The last scheduled flight, an IndiGo departure to Guwahati, took off around 7 pm, signalling the start of a 14-hour flight suspension that is expected to lift at 9 am on Friday. The temporary closure followed extensive preparations, as maintenance teams worked overnight to secure the airport’s facilities against anticipated strong winds and torrential rain. Only a limited staff remained on site to monitor essential operations.
Despite the temporary halt in passenger operations, air traffic controllers stationed nearby were prepared for a busy night, monitoring nearly 1,000 international and domestic flights expected to navigate the affected Kolkata airspace. Controllers coordinated reroutes with flight crews, aiding flights travelling between West and Southeast Asia in bypassing the stormy regions. “Some flights rerouted south of Visakhapatnam or north via Agartala, while others were directed to avoid Dana by detouring over China. Our priority remains safe passage,” remarked an official from the control tower.
To safeguard airport structures, thorough preparations included removing LED screens, securing passenger trolleys, and covering critical equipment such as DigiYatra machines with plastic sheets. The airport authority also safeguarded aircraft by securing their wheels and wings within hangars, while sandbags were used at the terminal’s glass doors to reinforce them against high winds. The airport director added that high mast lights, solar panels, and electronic display boards had been lowered and stored.
The decision to suspend operations reflects Kolkata’s commitment to safety and environmental responsibility in extreme weather. By limiting operational activity, the airport reduces the energy load and carbon emissions, further contributing to its ongoing sustainability objectives. This pre-emptive response aims to ensure continued security, thereby aligning with the airport’s broader civic responsibility to protect passengers, employees, and infrastructure under challenging conditions.
